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Tag: Ambode

  • VP, Ambode, Okorocha, proffer solution to Nigeria’s economic woes

    VP, Ambode, Okorocha, proffer solution to Nigeria’s economic woes

    Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha and other dignitaries have identified measures to solve the economic challenges in the country.

    They spoke Thursday at the maiden edition of  National Forum on Economy organised by Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation Newspapers, held at Lagos Airport Hotel.
    Osibanjo in his keynote address blamed the nation’s economic challenges on oil dependence and corruption saying that the time has come for the country to look beyond oil and celebrate integrity over corruption.
    According to him, “It is pathetic that a nation with over 170 million people benchmarked its budget on the price of oil. We must look beyond oil because it disturbs us from looking to other sector. In order to move the country forward, we must reduce the FG and state dependence on sharing revenue made from oil sales.”
    He said government is fully aware of the overwhelming challenges confronting Nigerians, assuring that ongoing reforms at various sector is a pointer to the fact that the situation will soon be a thing of the past.
    “The foundation for a strong economy demands that we have appropriate fiscal policies that will help the country that is arising from a very low rate of VAT and a low taxpayer’s base. We are focusing on increasing the country’s taxpayers base. We are committed to expanding the tax net.
    “At the federal level, the implementation of the country’s 2016 budget will stimulate the economy rather than impose undue austerity on the citizens. For instance, 30 percent of the country’s budget has been earmarked for capital expenditure.
    “Non-oil sources comprising company income tax, VAT and others are expected to contribute N1.5 trillion which is more than the estimated revenue from oil. This is unprecedented in the history of the country.”
    Vice President said there is urgent need for the country to take full advantage of the oil sector, adding that rather than extract and exporting, the country must take full advantage of the oil sector and entire value chain.
    He explained that government would soon commence work on the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail routes, as well as 31 major road projects across the country, just as he stressed the commitment of the current administration to give a quantum leap to infrastructural development.

    He said the governments this year will focus on key areas such as oil and gas Agriculture, social investment among others to tackle the situation.
    Governor Ambode in his remark said the nation’s economy was at a critical threshold and thus, will require its leaders to think outside the box and come up with creative innovations that will trigger economic growth nationwide.
    He lamented the fact that previous governments at the federal level failed to take advantage of the oil boom to grow other sectors of the economy, saying that the fall in price in the international oil market coupled with many years of corruption has made the economy vulnerable.
    “It is very unfortunate that we wasted the golden opportunity to deploy the trillions of dollars earned from our oil exports to develop the critical sectors of the economy including power, agriculture, industries, solid minerals, transportation infrastructure among others.  No doubt, if we had done the right thing as some other oil producing countries did, keeping in mind that crude oil is a finite resource, we would not be experiencing the devastating effect of oil price crash on the scale we are experiencing it now.

    “We are now being forced to do, with pains, what we should have done with ease years ago. The task of charting a new direction for the economy is not going to be a tea party. Various policy options must be identified and assessed on the basis of our current situation and needs.  Moving our economy forward requires thinking outside the box and doing things differently. We need creativity, innovation and the courage to take difficult and tough decisions.

    “The leadership of the country at national and state levels must have the courage to take tough decisions and make sacrifices in the near term which will, in the long run, make our economy stronger and sustainable and, consequently result in prosperity across all regions of Nigeria,” he said.

    Recommending strategies to improve the economy, Governor Ambode said that the nation must begin to explore and expand the opportunities that abound in inter-State relations and strengthen regional competitiveness by maximizing economies of scale, regional optimization of assets and endowments and mitigation of afflictions and natural disasters.

    He listed other viable areas for inter-State collaboration to include transport infrastructure to facilitate market linkages, education, market development, human capacity building, security and intelligence sharing, saying that it was high time to move away from an oil driven economy.

    “Prior to the oil boom era, Agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy and contributed about 65 per cent to the country’s GDP and represented close to 70 per cent of total exports. Through farming, Nigeria was able to feed its population while major cash crops were exported to earn foreign exchange.

    “From the cocoa and rubber plantations in the West, the groundnut pyramids and cotton in the north, to palm oil in the east; each region was identified by its economic areas of comparative advantage which were collectively harnessed towards ensuring food security and inclusive growth across the country.

    “Given our current economic challenge, I believe it is time we take a cue from our old ‘playbook’ for a viable ‘game plan’ to revive our national economy. States and regions must once again begin to leverage on their respective areas of comparative advantage by establishing partnerships towards establishing inter-State or inter-regional commodity value chain. We must re-start inter-state/regional cooperation,” he said.

    Governor Ambode said that Lagos has already taken the bull by the horn with its recent partnership with Kebbi State aimed at developing a commodity value chain that will see the local production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice needs with a multiplier effect that will ensure job creation, the development of ancillary industries as well as strengthen the Naira.

    The Governor however added that for regional integration to thrive a functional modern rail and water transportation system must be in place, noting that movement of goods, materials and people by road was not only inefficient but fraught with risks, safety hazards and detrimental to the roads.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation Newspaper, Wale Edun said the forum was put together not just to lament the challenges facing the country but for government and members of the critical sectors of the economy to dialogues and chart a way out.

  • Ambode appeals to Lagosians

    Ambode appeals to Lagosians

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has appealed to Lagosians to bear with the government over the lingering shortage of fuel and power across the state.

    In a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the governor said Lagos  consumes more than 40 per cent of the fuel and energy needs of the country and knows that the impact of the scarcity would be felt more in the state.

    He urged residents to remain calm, orderly and law-abiding as government is doing everything possible within its power to find a solution to the crisis.

    Ambode said: “I share the pain and discomfort of Lagosians and assure them that President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply touched by the situation and is working to alleviate their suffering.”

  • Ambode orders repair of Lagos-Badagry Expressway

    Ambode orders repair of Lagos-Badagry Expressway

    LAGOS State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has begun “extensive repair” of the Lagos Badagry Expressway following Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s directive.

    The work, the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Works, Mr Ayotunde Sodeinde, said in a statement yesterday, began on Tuesday.

    Sodeinde said the repair would include covering all potholes on the road and a face-lift for the drainage.

    He listed the roads for repair to include Iyana Ishasi – Ribamu Bus Stop (both sides), Ketu Bus Stop-Cele Nica, FGC Ijanikan-Iyana Era, ACOED Pedestrian Bridge-Alafia Bus Stop, former Toll Gate–Ibiye/Morogbo and Pure Water Bus Stop–Magbon (both sides).

    Others are Ile-Epo Bus Stop–Oko Afo Outward Badagry, Mowo Bus Stop–Elijah Araromi Bridge (both sides), Limca Bus Stop–Mosafejo (both sides), French Village–Low Cost Housing Scheme and Ibereko (both sides).

    Sodeinde, who is also LSPWC Chief Executive Officer, said the exercise was in line with the present administration’s zero tolerance for potholes.

    He hoped traffic congestion on road would reduce on completion of the work, which will be done day and night.

    Sodeinde said: “The governor has said it times without number that he wants all the roads in Lagos to be motorable and free of potholes. He wants the hard life that Lagosians are going through to be alleviated. He cannot stand Lagosians going through hardship due to bad roads.

    “You know when the roads are good, it means economic growth; people will be able to move from one part of the state to another; transport their goods without stress. You will notice that even the activities of hoodlums and pickpockets thrive when there is gridlock, as far as gridlock that is being caused by potholes are concerned, we are on our feet to ensure that we put the road in order to reduce the traffic.”

  • Ambode, Lagos and ethnic friction

    SIR: While reacting to the recent clashes among some major interest groups at the Mile 12 market, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode reiterated for the umpteenth time the metropolitan nature of Lagos as a melting point of various ethnic groups in the country. He said: “Let me assure Lagosians that the state is home to every tribe and ethnic group and nobody should give this disturbance any ethnic coloration whatsoever. We are all brothers in Lagos and it shall continue to be like that”.

    Ambode’s position is, of course, a true reflection of the spirit of Lagos. Lagos has always been home to all. Subsequent administrations in the state, especially since the dawn of the present political dispensation, have gone to limitless length to preserve the multi-ethnic status of Lagos. Indeed, the relative peace that has been in existence in the state, over the years, is a manifestation of the unrelenting efforts of the state government to accommodate various interest groups in the state. On a regular basis, the state government organizes stakeholders meetings with the leaders of the ethnic/tribal communities in the state to rub mind together on how to make Lagos a better place for all. The result of this robust relationship is the atmosphere of peace and harmony that currently reign in the state.

    Without a doubt, Lagos has continued to show the way forward in its commitment to an indivisible Nigeria where no one is denied of opportunities for self actualization on mundane considerations. The state’s primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities and, indeed, other such infrastructure remain accessible to all Nigerians without any discrimination. Through the instrumentality of the State Security Trust Fund, the State government has continued to ensure the safety and security of every Lagos resident. The public primary and secondary schools in the state have continued to open their doors to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribal and ethnic affiliations. Since the inception of the now popular Spelling Bee competition, among public secondary schools in the state, the 13 winners that have emerged as ‘One Day Governors’ sufficiently demonstrate the cosmopolitan nature of the state’s public schools. A breakdown of the thirteen ‘One Day Governors’ that have so far emerged reveals that seven are of Yoruba origin, two are from Edo State while the remaining four are of Igbo extraction.

    Realistically, the issues involved in the development and growth of Lagos State and, indeed, Nigeria transcends ethnic and religious sentiments. The brotherly love and bond that have existed between Lagos and the diverse ethnic and tribal groups in the State must not be compromised. Fifth columnists, whose major pre-occupation is to fan the ember of disaffection for self-seeking interests must not be allowed to profit, as it is their practice, from the current false campaigns. Traditionally, the hospitable disposition of Lagosians is legendary. It is a global legend that Lagosians are hospitable people who go the extra mile to accommodate visitors.

    In Nigeria, Lagos remains, perhaps, the only major melting points where all Nigerians could feel at home, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. There is no other state that has opened its doors to accommodate Nigerians of various shades as Lagos does. It has always been the tradition of successive governments in the state to accord every resident in the State equal and fair deal in the scheme of things. Everyone who resides in Lagos is traditionally referred to as a Lagosian. This is the spirit of Lagos.

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • Ambode launches one-stop-shop for investors

    Ambode launches one-stop-shop for investors

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday unveiled the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global.

    The Lagos Global is a one-stop shop designed to enhance ease of doing business in Lagos State and also actualise the state’s vision of becoming Africa’s model megacity and global economic and financial hub.

    At the official presentation, Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, said the initiative was in line with the commitment of his administration to make Lagos an investment destination of choice by creating a favourable environment for local and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    He said Lagos remained the desired investment destination, having attracted massive FDI, such as the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, among other investments coming to the State.

    Ambode assured that the seaport would be completed in 2019 and upon completion will be the deepest seaport in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    He also said the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3billion investment, would be completed in 2018.

    His words: “As the world continues to acknowledge Lagos as a regional financial hub, we as a government have demonstrated the commitment to strengthen this position through deliberate policies aimed at improving the business climate in our state.

    “In this regard, we have successfully placed Lagos on investors’ radar by putting in place effective legal and regulatory frameworks such as the Land Reform Act, Double Taxation treaties, Limited Liability Reviews and the development of Free Trade Zones. Likewise, the on-going judicial reform is aimed at strengthening our laws for the protection of enterprise.”

  • Ambode preaches unity, tolerance

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence to overcome the nation’s current challenges.

    Ambode, in his Easter message, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the society.

    He added the season should serve as a reminder to all of the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn.                            In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the governor said: “Remembering that foundation is particularly meaningful this Easter because our nation is facing challenges that we can overcome if we choose to, by exercising collective tolerance and be ready to make sacrifices.

    “Therefore, we must see this period as a time that affords us to think about how we can each help to steer our nation back on the road to prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness.”

  • Ambode: invest in water sector

    Ambode: invest in water sector

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged people to invest in the water sector to create jobs.

    The governor, who spoke in Ogba, Lagos, at the 2016 World Water Day, organised by the State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), with the theme: “Water and Jobs: Water for the People, Water by the People”, said there are job opportunities in the water sector.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Babatunde Adejare, said besides engineers, geologists and manufacturers of water equipment, the sector creates jobs for pure (sachet) water producers, bottled water producers, managers, accountants and other professionals.

    The Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Adekunle Muminu Badmus, said the corporation employed thousands of Nigerians, adding that it sourced its raw water from rivers and deep boreholes.

    Badmus said: “About 90 per cent of the municipal water consumed in Lagos comes from River Ogun and is processed at the two major water treatment plants- Iju and Adiyan Waterworks- which are designed to treat 45 and 70 MGD of water.

    He enjoined customers to conserve water, report leakages, avoid illegal connections, avoid vandalism of pipes, understand the true cost of water and pay their bills promptly.

    The Executive Secretary of LSWRC, Ahmed Kabiru, said the World Water Day is celebrated yearly on March 22, to encourage the production of potable water.

  • Era of rice importation gone in Lagos, says Ambode

    Era of rice importation gone in Lagos, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has said the era of rice importation is gone in the state.

    The governor said this yesterday at the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Lagos and Kebbi states on the development of Commodity Value Chains.

    He said the future of Lagos State was partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security, adding that food production and self-sufficiency required its immediate attention at policy and strategic levels to sustain the state.

    According to him, “Lagos has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tonnes of milled rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50kg bags, with a value of N135 billion per annum.

    “We have the economic prowess to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone.

    “The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local foodstuff and commodities.

    “In addition to rice, Lagos  consumes 6,000 herds of cattle daily, which may increase to 8,000 in the next five years.”

    He explained that the bulk of the vegetables produced in the country end up in Lagos markets.

    “The state also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum; mostly flour mills, bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers.

    “Kebbi State, on the other hand, is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the cultivation of rice, wheat, groundnut, maize, sorghum and sugar cane.

    “It is an agrarian state with over 1.2 million hectares of arable land characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle slopes.

    “In the 2014 / 2015 wet season, over 600,000 hectares of land was deployed for rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the state.

    “The people are traditionally rice farmers with average land holding of about 10 hectares.

    “Presently, Kebbi has over 50,000 metric tonnes of paddy in store produced from the last two planting seasons,” he said.

    Ambode said the joint venture would be implemented using a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), LASKEB Agricultural Production and Marketing Company (LAPMCO), and that the major areas of focus would be the development of Commodity Value Chains with emphasis on rice, wheat, groundnut, onions, maize/sorghum and beef.

    “Our traders can become key employers of labour as distributors of ‘Ibile Rice’.

    “We can also brand and package rice in the names of our distributors and traders. As a state, we shall adopt our local rice as a state dish in all ramifications.

    Kebbi’s Governor Atiku Bagudu said the two states had a long history of trade partnership and were just making it stronger with the MoU, adding that the partnership would provide 60 to 70 per cent of the country’s rice need.

  • Groups appeal to Ambode over demolished community

    Groups appeal to Ambode over demolished community

    The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) in collaboration with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Lagos branch and the African Youth Coalition against Injustice and Impunity (AYCAII) have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider the plight of residents of Mosafejo whose community was demolished by the Lagos State Government.

    In a press statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator of HURMA, Lagos Chairman of CDHR and the Lagos branch of AYCAII, Comrades Buna O. Isiak, Alex Omotehinse and Nallah Fatai respectively, the groups said: “It is over a month that the entire village of Mosafejo, under Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) (only community that voted for the APC) at Oshodi, was demolished by the Lagos State Government.

    “With just seven days notice, the Lagos State Taskforce stormed the area at midnight, injured people, demolished and sold their properties. More painfully, on Saturday February 20, one of the victims of the brutality, Mr. George Ishola (a retired military officer who was pursuing his benefit) died due to injury sustained and homelessness.

    “After a cry out by the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda for the voiceless displaced people, the Lagos State House of Assembly promised to do justice to the matter. The House has invited the people to a committee meeting to hear them out, visited the demolished village and as well gave condolence message to the family of the deceased.

    Unfortunately, the House decided to be quite for some time now while the homeless people live in pains and agony. The silence over the pains of these Lagosians is seen as a test on the masses’ patience and this is already gathering momentum as some other organisations are also preparing to join the struggle.”

    Continuing, the statement noted that “the Civil Society shall continue to bridge the gap between the Government and the people at the grassroots, who, due to confidence reposed in us, are willing to assist in whistle blowing. This is to expose bad eggs and bring our country back to the good old days. But the Lagos APC Government seems to be working towards frustrating the same people whose co-operation we are seeking to tackle corruption and terrorism.

    “According to the displaced people, ‘our constitutional rights are being violated by the same government whose duty is to protect it.”

    “HURMA does not contest the power of the government to acquire land for public use and not private and selfish interest of a few clique in government. But this, however, must be done with proper procedure.

    “That the Lagos State government could demolish an entire village without prior notice other than seven days, nor offer any compensation to the victims, is a direct violation of several sections (from chapters two to chapter four) of the Nigerian Constitution.

    “We appreciate the Lagos House of Assembly so far, for proving to constitute members who are true peoples’ representative while we look forward to prompt action.”

  • Rescue of abducted girls: The Ambode example

    When three  school girls were abducted from the Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos State recently, memory of the abducted Chibok girls yet to be found almost two years after threw many people especially the parents of the girls into despondency. The parents feared their daughters may suffer the same fate like the Chibok girls abducted since April 15, 2014. But in a swift reaction, and in matching words with action, Governor Akinwumi Ambode proved many who had resigned to fate, wrong as the girls were rescued six days (they were abducted on February 29 and rescued on March 6)  after abduction thus ending the nightmare of parents.

    Had President Jonathan acted promptly like Governor Akinwumi Ambode did, and with a sincerity of purpose like President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chibok girls would probably have been rescued. It is unfortunate that the Jonathan administration foot-dragged about the rescue of the Chibok girls, wasting precious time, arguing about whether the Chibok girls were actually kidnapped or not, and by the time he was convinced that the girls were actually abducted, it was too late. To add insult to injury, the President’s wife, Patience Jonathan turned a serious matter to theatrics by inviting the Principal of the Chibok school and other officials where she insinuated that the girls were not abducted and that the whole incident was a “make believe” story to embarrass her husband.

    Unlike ex-President Jonathan, Governor Ambode left no one in doubt that he would rescue the girls and he immediately swung into action as he gave a marching order to the security agents who equally took the rescue seriously. In fact, the Inspector General of Police, Solomone Arase shifted base to Lagos. It was not surprising that Ambode got the full co-operation of security agents because he had earlier done the needful by providing security equipment worth N4.8 billion naira to the police for effective crime control in the city. This included, 100 4-Door Salon Cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups, 15 BMW Power Bikes, 100 Power Bikes, Isuzu Trucks, three (3) Helicopters, two(2) Gun Boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Revolving Lights, Siren and Public Address System, Vehicular Radio Communicators, Security Gadgets including Bullet Proof Vests, Helmets, Handcuffs, etc. The package included uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers. The National Mirror editorial of Wednesday March 9, captured the governor’s strong resolve to rescue the girls: “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State promised the rescue of the girls in no time. He did not sound defeatist, placatory or helpless while the security agencies did their job. He voiced his conviction that swift and coordinated reaction, guided by security intelligence, was a better and more sensitive approach to addressing the challenge than recourse to sensationalism or being panic-stricken”.

    Expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Governor Ambode for the swift rescue of the girls, the Anglican Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Most Rev. Adebayo Dada Akinde who led the principal of the school and the parents of the girls on a thank you visit to the governor said, “It was a most traumatic moment and sad for us as proprietors. Today we are thanking God for his intervention that a most unfortunate and traumatic event ended on a joyous note. All three pupils are now safe in the custody of their parents, they have been reunited. You acted and responded. Your response was prompt, your response was positive, your response was practical”.

    Today, we all know what happened to the fund allocated for arms purchase by the Jonathan administration. The diversion of that fund, running into billions of dollars left our army ill-equipped for battle. Even though it is the duty of the federal government to equip the police and other security agencies, Governor Ambode provided enormous support for the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies in the state.

    The determination and concern with which Ambode pursued vigorously the rescue exercise of the girls shows a clear difference between a leader who cares and the one who doesn’t. Ambode’s slogan that Lagos will be uninhabitable for criminals is not  the usual political rhetoric but a statement of fact. This was corroborated by one of the arrested kidnappers who said: “I know that security in Lagos State is now tight and I was telling others that there was no way we would get away with this kind of job considering the level of security in the state. When I told them that we should end the assignment, other members of the gang threatened to kill me and then I took canoe to run away”.

    The cordial relationship between the governor and the security agencies has paid off greatly with the promptness and alacrity with which the police approached the operation. Other governors should emulate this. The security agencies should also be commended for their patriotism and the good use they’ve put the new gadgets donated to them by the Ambode administration. They were very tactical and professional in the rescue operation as they secured the release of the girls unhurt and arrested the culprits without firing a single shot!

    Even though the two abduction scenarios of the Chibok girls and Ikorodu girls were different,  the point remains that swift response would have made a difference in the case of the Chibok girls as it did in the Ikorodu girls. If solders had been drafted within 48 hours after the abduction of the Chibok girls, the girls would have been rescued. That this was not done was because the Jonathan government was pre-occupied with how to capture Ekiti State in the gubernatorial election coming up in June of that year as well as the 2015 Presidential  electoral preparations. By the time the reality dawned on the government that the girls were actually kidnapped, it was too late.

    The morale of the armed forces under Jonathan was low because of unpaid allowances and outdated weapons but it is better now with President Buhari as seen in the recapture of many lost territories and the decapitation of the terrorist group to a non-fighting force. Governor Ambode enjoyed the goodwill and co-operation of the security forces in Lagos State because he motivated them with material and welfare support which was lacking in the armed forces under Jonathan which made our soldiers run away from the battle-field when confronted with superior fire power of the Boko Haram terrorists. Even if they were deployed on time by then President Jonathan, it is doubtful if they would have been able to rescue the Chibok girls considering their low morale, arising from inadequate weapons which made them vulnerable.

    The unfortunate abduction has once again brought to the fore the need to put preventive measures in place  and beef up security around secondary schools in Lagos State. The schools should have private guards who could be useful in informing security agents immediately an abduction takes place even if they cannot prevent it.

    The timely apprehension of the culprits in the Ikorodu abduction is likely to discourage other criminals who may be planning such.

     

    • Afolabi writes from Surulere, Lagos.